MASON'S CHAMPIONSHIP RUN: Punchers made steady trek to championship

The Mason Punchers had the perfect ending to a perfect season Thursday with their 62-40 win over Stamford in the Class 1A, Division I state title game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

It was a stark contrast from how their season ended in 2010 — with a heartbreaking 27-26 loss to district rival Goldthwaite in the state quarterfinals.

This year's team was fueled by that loss and the players' and coaches' belief that they could bring home a state title this season.

With the return of David Mora, the nation's leader in rushing last year with 3,573 yards, along with the entire offensive line, the Punchers debuted at No. 9 in the state's preseason rankings.

They steadily moved up the list after dominating their regular-season schedule. By the end of their playoff run, they left no doubt who was No. 1.

Here's a game-by-game glance at Mason's road to the title:

Week 0 at Harper W 60-6

Mora didn't play while resting a sore knee, but it didn't matter as Mason still rushed for over 300 yards in an impressive season-opening win.

Week 1 vs. Junction W 54-12

Mora made his 2011 debut, carrying the ball 11 times for 125 yards as the Punchers cruised past longtime rival Junction.

Week 2 at Comfort W 48-24

Class 2A Comfort made things interesting by staying within 28-17 at halftime before Mason outscored the Bobcats 20-0 in the third quarter to pull away.

Week 3 Bye

Week 4 at Ingram Moore W 47-0

Mason scored 47 points in the first three quarters in a shutout win over Ingram Moore. Mora rushed for 221 yards on only nine carries.

Week 5 vs. Olney W 56-6

Mora again made the most of his limited carries, rushing 14 times for 277 yards and five TDs in another blowout win.

Week 6 vs. Johnson City W 69-0

Mason had its highest-scoring output of the season and biggest margin of victory. Mora had eight carries for 119 yards and three TDs, and returned a punt 68 yards for another score.

Week 7 at Eldorado W 55-0

Mason opened District 13-1A play with a resounding win over Eldorado. The Punchers' defense held the Eagles to a mere 65 yards of offense.

Week 8 vs. Reagan County W 65-6

Mason scored a remarkable 58 points in the first half in its next district outing. Chance Stockbridge returned an interception for a TD for the second consecutive week.

Week 9 at Goldthwaite W 55-21

The Punchers avenged a pair of losses to Goldthwaite last year by handing the Eagles their worst loss since 2003. Mora rushed for 254 yards and five TDs.

Week 10 vs. Winters W 28-6

District runner-up Winters gave Mason its toughest test of the regular season. Mason led only 14-0 before a couple of fourth-quarter scores sealed the Punchers' first perfect regular season since 1988.

Playoffs

Area La Villa W 64-20

After a first-round bye, Mason opened its postseason without missing a beat. The Punchers scored on all seven of their first-half possession for a 49-0 halftime lead. Mora and Rio Schmidt each topped 100 yards rushing.

Regionals Ganado W 7-0

Mason knocked off No. 1-ranked Ganado in a matchup that was more worthy of a state final. The Punchers marched 92 yards to score on the game's opening drive, then their defense did the rest after Ganado became the only team to hold Mason under 28 points.

Quarterfinals Shiner W 55-7

The Punchers' defense forced an eye-opening nine turnovers for a surprisingly lopsided win over state power Shiner. Mason led 34-7 at halftime and never looked back.

Semifinals Garrison W 46-14

The Punchers led only 14-6 at halftime after their defense made a goal-line stand late in the first half, but Mason opened the second half with 30 straight points for another blowout win over one of the top 1A teams in Texas.

Final Stamford W 62-40

Mason wasn't about to be stopped now. The Punchers forced four turnovers and racked up 531 yards of offense to pull away from Stamford in the second half. It was the highest-scoring 1A title game in state history and Mason's first title. Mora was named the game's Offensive MVP after rushing 41 times for 258 yards and five TDs. Stockbridge earned Defensive MVP honors with nine tackles and a game-changing interception return for a TD in the fourth quarter. Mason finished the season with a combined 161 points in its final three games, an average of 53.7 points per game.